HERSHEY, PA -- Hershey Co. announced several changes to its global leadership team. J.P. Bilbrey, who became chief executive of the chocolate giant in June, said the changes would help drive growth at home and abroad.

Bert Alfonso has been promoted to executive vice-president, chief financial officer and chief administrative officer. He has served as Hershey's senior vice-president and chief financial officer since 2007. In his expanded role, Alfonso will be responsible for Hershey's finance, mergers and acquisitions, integrated business planning functions and information services.

Michele Buck has been named senior vice-president and chief growth officer. She was previously senior vice-president and global chief marketing officer. In her new role, Buck will oversee Hershey's strategy and vision, innovation and research and development.

Advancing to senior vice-president, chief commercial officer is Mike Wege; he was previously senior vice-president of Hershey's chocolate business unit. In his new role, Wege will lead the company's chocolate and sweets and refreshment business units, with responsibility for building and leveraging Hershey's global brands.

Continuing as members of the global leadership team are: Ted Jastrzebski, senior vice-president and president of the Americas; Terry O'Day, senior vice- president of global operations; Peter Smit, senior vice-president and president of Asia, Middle East & Africa; Burt Snyder, senior vice-president, general counsel and secretary; Dan Vucovich, senior vice-president, and president of U.S. operations; and Kevin Walling, senior vice-president and chief human resources officer.